Bells

the_hundredth_idiot

I want a bell for my new bike. I know, I know - you probably won't be surprised to hear that my new bike also has full mudguards. I'm just a practical kind of guy :? who's had enough of loudly clearing his throat at suicidal pedestrians, interpersed with the occasional "Oy! :evil: ". I don't want to scare anyone with a fog horn, just a gentle ting-ting is fine.

So, I bought one from my LBS yesterday but it won't fit my bike - the bars are too large a diameter. The LBS doesn't have any that fit larger diameter bars so what are my options? Or do I put this idea in the same place as reflectors on my (SPD) pedals and a reflector on the rear of my bike? :roll:

PS. Deffo going to go for some of those wickeeeed spoke lights

DanielCoffey

I'm surprised it doesn't fit the bars.

Does it have a plastic mounting clip or the old "pair of u-shaped brackets held together with a couple of long threaded screws"? If it is the plastic sort, it is possible it may have a rubber shim that you might need to take out first - have a quick look.

On the subject of bells, I got one of the old british "bee bells" - you know, the "ring-ring" sort rather than the "ding-ding" ones and while loud, it rattles like heck when I go over bumps... which is all the time on my commute.

I'd be interested in hearing about what you finally settle on.

the_hundredth_idiot

Plastic mounting clip. No rubber shim. On normal drops - trying to fit it just to the left of the stem.

They did have some with the u-shaped bracket - but they were big, old-fashioned silver things and I wanted something a little more subtle.

linsen

get a massive hooter instead

Gussio

linsen wrote:

get a massive hooter instead

Mmmmm...massive hooters.....

(to OP - you can buy bells that mount themselves using a thick rubber band)

the_hundredth_idiot

linsen wrote:

get a massive hooter instead

Hooter meaning nose, of course. Just the one rather than a pair.

@GUSSIO - sounds the trick [heads off to wiggle]

spen666

linsen wrote:

get a massive hooter instead

haven't you seen his nose?

But how will that replace a bell?

the_hundredth_idiot

On the other hand, a pair of massive hooters would probably be effective in alerting pedestrians to my presence. Or, at least, 50% of pedestrians ... :shock:

secretsam

The Hundredth Idiot wrote:

On the other hand, a pair of massive hooters would probably be effective in alerting pedestrians to my presence. Or, at least, 50% of pedestrians ... :shock:

If you used the 'Gazza' strap on ones, pretty much 100% of pedestrians would notice you...

doog442

i had the same problem..however does your new bike have a front reflector on a bracket on the handlebar stem ? ie big available bracket

I found that I could fit the actual bell bracket to the reflector bracket after taking the reflector off.....doesnt look too bad, so small bell on big stem..sorted

giltkid

Doesn't fit? Is it pink with a picture of Cinderella on it?

AndyManc

I thought all new bikes HAD to be sold with a bell on it . :roll:

the_hundredth_idiot

giltkid wrote:

Doesn't fit? Is it pink with a picture of Cinderella on it?

If I want a pink Cinderella bell, I'll have one. I won't let any outdated gender/age stereotyping put me off. Plus it will go nicely with my My Little Pony rucksack.

No front reflector (or rear for that matter) and I thought the "has to have a bell of point of sale" thing was just a myth? :?:

TheMightyHet

AndyManc wrote:

I thought all new bikes HAD to be sold with a bell on it . :roll:

I thought so to! There's a custom MTB builder that I know of that fit's a Ladybird shaped bell to all it's bikes! lol